National Hunt racing is praised for having a ‘narrative’ – the focus is always towards March and the Cheltenham Festival. For the top Irish trainers Punchestown then comes next in priority.

Willie Mullins has dominated both for much of this decade. But in recent years, jump racing has become divided into Festivals – Christmas, Dublin Racing Festival, Cheltenham, Aintree, Punchestown. All that goes before is just a preparation for those big days, for owners, trainers and jockeys.